SATURDAY’S GAME.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1921, Page 4

SATURDAY’S GAME.

Only a football match of outstanding importance could have attracted such a record attendance as lined the terraces of Pukekura Park on Saturday. Even the visit of the Prince did not arouse more interest than Saturday’s match, which appealed to thousands outside the followers and supporters of the game. It was the first time South Africa had sent its sons to New Zealand to take part ill athletic contests, and the public were really glad of the privilege to do them honor. Their fame as true sportsmen had preceded them, and it was in no way diminished by the way in which they played; on the contrary, it was greatly enhanced. They “played the game” in the real meaning of the term, and showed ability that will take them far even in a country like this, whose national game is essentially rugby football. It was a hard, ■severe and determined, yet clean, game, one the like of which has not been seen in Taranaki for many a year. Taranaki realised that they were set a very great task, and they were unfortunate in not scoring at times; so also were the visitors. The conditions, it must be acknowledged, were not wholly favorable to the South Africans, but when they get; used to the soft New Zealand grounds they will undoubtedly render a good account of themselves. Saturday’s display proved them to be a firstrate combination, capable of extending the best New Zealand teams, and equal to any of the teams that have visited New Zealand from abroad. Their visit here has helped the game a lot in Taranaki, and caused a revival, not only in public interest in the game, but in the form of representative players, which should again lift Taranaki to its old position as amongst the best provincial teams in the Dominion. The visitors off the field have shown themselves to be gentlemen us well as fine sportsmen, and Taranaki people as a whole will regret their stay has been so brief, and that the weather has not been fine enough to enable then! to see more of our interesting and fruitful province.